Donald Trump paid a heartfelt tribute to his longtime friend Hulk Hogan following the wrestling legend’s sudden death, recalling Hogan’s powerful and electrifying speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention that energized supporters and highlighted their deep bond amid a time of political and personal transformation.

Former President Donald Trump delivered a deeply moving tribute to his longtime friend and wrestling legend Hulk Hogan following the icon’s death at age 71 from cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home on July 24, 2025.

In his post, Trump wrote: **“We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster.’ Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.

He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week.

He entertained fans from all over the world, and the cultural impact he had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!”**

Trump’s heartfelt message reflects a friendship that spanned decades, rooted in their early crossover between business and showbiz.

The two first met in the 1980s, when Hogan headlined WrestleMania events at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, cementing their connection well before Trump’s political ascent.

Trump specifically highlighted Hogan’s keynote by recalling his performance at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, shocked the crowd by dramatically ripping off his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance tank top and declaring:

**“Let Trump‑a‑mania run wild, brother! Let Trump‑a‑mania rule again! Let Trump‑a‑mania make America great again!”**

Trump praised the address as **“absolutely electric,”** calling it among the most memorable and energetic moments of the convention—and emphasized Hogan’s broad entertainment reach and cultural presence.

Hogan’s decision to speak out at the RNC was driven by a transformational moment in his own life. Though previously politically quiet, Hogan publicly admitted that an assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania in 2024 compelled him to break his silence.

He reflected: **“I was one of these guys that wouldn’t put a Trump sign on my yard… I called myself a coward… After they tried to kill him, that was it. I can no longer stay silent.”**

In that speech, Hogan praised Trump as a leader with resolve, stating he saw in Trump the kind of warrior spirit America needed.

He also coined him as “one of the toughest guys of all time” and compared his political partnership with Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, to legendary wrestling tag teams like Hogan & Macho Man Savage.

Hogan’s legacy extended far beyond political arenas. Rising to fame in the late 1970s and early ’80s, he became wrestling’s global phenomenon during the “Hulkamania” era.

A six-time WWE champion, and multiple-time world titleholder in WCW and New Japan, Hogan helped turn pro wrestling into mainstream entertainment.

He also starred in pop‑culture projects including *Rocky III*, the reality TV show *Hogan Knows Best*, and even launched his own beer brand and business ventures in recent years.

In the wake of Hogan’s passing, tributes flooded in from political figures and fellow celebrities. Vice President J.D. Vance called him “a childhood hero,” while figures like Ric Flair and Donald Trump Jr. honored his impact on wrestling and conservative culture alike.

Though Hogan’s legacy was occasionally marked by controversy—including a homophobic scandal and a high-profile lawsuit—his return to WWE’s public eye in 2018 and his public support for conservative causes helped reconnect him with audiences who saw him as an emblem of nostalgic American resilience.

Trump’s tribute post appeared on July 24, 2025, the same day the medical emergency occurred. Hogan was declared dead after cardiac arrest at his Clearwater residence; emergency crews attempted resuscitation before he was pronounced deceased at Morton Plant Hospital.

For Donald Trump, Hogan’s memory represents more than a wrestling legend—it’s a symbol of friendship, performance, and political theatrics.

Their shared history—from WrestleMania rings to political rallies—illustrates how entertainment and politics have increasingly overlapped in modern America.

Trump concluded his message with a simple yet poignant nod to Hogan’s family: **“Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!”**

As renewed interest in Hogan’s life surges in media—including WWE tributes aired just days after his passing—Trump’s public remembrance underscores a key moment in his recent campaign narrative: the confluence of spectacle, loyalty, and populist resonance.